March 6, 2026
The first participant to have his quantity retired as he main his staff of their present playoff run
The Tuskegee University basketball staff began the playoffs because the No. 1 seed within the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) West Division, capping an amazing faculty 12 months that had senior Kusamae Draper ending the season because the SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Draper ended the common season by additionally being named the SIAC Player of the Year, and the college honored him by retiring his quantity WHILE he was nonetheless taking part in.
According to HBCU Gameday, Draper is the primary basketball participant in Tuskegee historical past to have his jersey retired. He can also be a First Team All-SIAC participant, main his staff to the playoffs, trying to take house the championship. His teammate, Khalil Genwright, was honored as a Second Team All-SIAC choice, and the staff’s head coach, Benjy Taylor, was named SIAC Coach of the Year.
“It meant so much getting my jersey retired, it was senior evening, numerous my household was there, and it was sudden,” Draper expressed to HBCU Gameday. “It was one thing that made me really feel actually pleased with myself as a result of not solely my accomplishments personally, however how individuals round me see me and the way my coach (Benjy Taylor) seen me.”
Draper additionally carried out properly academically throughout his 4 years on the establishment. He will likely be graduating with a 3.5 GPA in Construction Science, setting excellence off the basketball court docket as properly.
“In at present’s period, I simply thought it was vital that we acknowledge a younger man who has performed it a unique means!” Taylor said. “Came right here as a freshman, labored his means into the most effective participant within the league. So some 1,400 factors and 700 rebounds later, all for Tuskegee University, it was a no brainer (to retire his jersey).”
The senior averaged 16.3 factors, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a recreation, beginning all 26 video games this season for Tuskegee.
“To be at Tuskegee all 4 years was a blessing,” Draper mentioned. “Staying there was the most effective for my future; it was house and household.”
Tuskegee, with a 21-6 total report (19-5 SIAC), opened the postseason Division II event with a convincing 70-53 victory over Benedict College. The subsequent contest is towards Clark Atlanta, which beat LeMoyne-Owen, 59-54. The two groups will match up on March 6.
RELATED CONTENT: Buju Banton’s Son Credits Faith And ‘Boom Bye Bye’ For Stopping Him From Being Gay
About The Author
